Free-moN Flagstaff, AZ - Free-moN Module

[Lemosteam]

OK this is going to be a weird take on this module, but I actually love the look of the module in the photographic state.  Would be cool to have everything lift off all at once to see how you developed/recreated the scene or make a second one right next to it with just the track and image.

[vermonter_railfan]

OK this is going to be a weird take on this module, but I actually love the look of the module in the photographic state.  Would be cool to have everything lift off all at once to see how you developed/recreated the scene or make a second one right next to it with just the track and image.

It's definitely a different way to approach things. One of the guys that sets up with us often had a version of this at the Ohio Weekend. I've been wanting to try it ever since, especially with such a detailed oriented scene

[vermonter_railfan]

Well, between my normal work week and overtime tomorrow I managed to knock out the wiring on the module and got the track laid and wired up.

For now the wiring is on the basic side and has MSS tied in to it. Once I go to add the railroad crossing stuff I'll probably have to rewire the majority of the module.

This is as far as I am going with this module before Altoona N scale weekend this weekend. I plan to work on it some more before Amherst 2026 and hopefully will have scenery started.

[vermonter_railfan]

Been a few weeks since the Altoona N Scale weekend, figured I would post a few photos of the module being used while at the show.

Here we see a test train passing by that @samusi01 and I ran with his 20 axle heavy duty flat.


Here is @Mark W, yes that Mark, running his Milwaukee power past the depot using some fancy wireless catenarys.


With Lombard Hobbies having a fire sale on SXT SD40-2's it was only natural to pick up some "proper" power for a future train.


Damnit @Tobynnn ...


For those intrested, here is a YouTube link to my video of the Free-moN layout at the show. Plenty of clips of trains from over the layout and passing by some of my modules.

[randgust]

Hey, I found the photos you were looking for of the historic train order signals at Flag.

[vermonter_railfan]

Hey, I found the photos you were looking for of the historic train order signals at Flag.

Thanks for that, Ill send you an email so we can discuss.

[vermonter_railfan]

I just got back from a much needed vacation to the home state and to see family. While there I did mange some time with a friend of mine to explore the Seligman Sub. I mainly have only been visiting the Union Pacific Gila Subdivision when I visit family as it's only a 45 min drive from Mesa to Maricopa vs the nearly 2 hours to Flagstaff but this year the other half and I were gonna be spending aome time in Sedona. With that, I was able to explore the Flagstaff depot and get some up close shots with my camera. We also explored some spots I haven't been to in years like Parks, Cosnino and East Williams. I did get my drone up to get some shots of Williams JCT which is a spot I am eyeing for a future Free-moN module set with MSS.

I have also attached a screenshot of Flagstaff as what it will probably eventually become, full scale 10' long monstrosity.

[samusi01]

Question - and this is far in the future so if you've not considered yet don't worry - what are you going to do for the logging 2-8-0?

[ednadolski]

Does Free-MoN require (mandate) Code 55 rail, or is code 40 rail also acceptable?

TIA,
Ed

[vermonter_railfan]

Question - and this is far in the future so if you've not considered yet, don't worry - what are you going to do for the logging 2-8-0?

If I remember right, I think we discussed it at Altoona. I think the closest steam engine I can get to represent it will be the old MDC/Athearn 2-8-0. I probably won't ever be able to find anything closer without going full kitbash, as long as I can get the tender to be semi-correct, then I'll just go with it.

I did venture over and get a few shots of the unit, mainly of the logo on the tender, to help reproduce it down the road.

[vermonter_railfan]

Does Free-MoN require (mandate) Code 55 rail, or is code 40 rail also acceptable?

TIA,
Ed

The standard calls for true code 55 - S2.1  Main line track shall be code-55 nickel-silver flex or hand laid with prototypical tie dimensions and tie spacing..

You can technically use code 40 on anything that is not the mainline. But while the standard technically says Code 55, I think you'll notice that, depending on the "crowd or group", some will be lax on certain parts of the standard vs others. I know there was a guy in the Denver area who was only using hand-laid Code 40 track for his modules. Which I have run on without issues, as my equipment was compliant with standard flange wheels. Out here on the East Coast, we have been talking about code 40 over 55 for some Z scale and NN3 ideas. But as for Free-moN if someone were to show up with code 40 with us, we won't care as long as the module performs well and looks good. But the same can't be said for others who might be more strict with the standard in that sense or who only care about quantity over quality of modules.

[vermonter_railfan]

Well it's been awhile, and it's the new year. Which means it's now around 22 days till setup at the Amherst Train show toward the end of the month.

I spent some time around a month ago and got the next 5 foot module built and got the Google Earth imagery attached to the top of the module. I'm hoping to have track down on the module so it can be used at the show.





The only issue I am going to run into with this module is the eastern end. In reality the old REA/Setout tracks for Santa fe and the old wye that use to be used for the Southwest Lumber company continue east for miles. I plan to add a pair of switches at the end of the module currently instead to help be able to use those sidings.

[Tobynnn]

Looking great man!

[vermonter_railfan]

Less than a week until the Amherst train show in Springfield, MA.

I got the track done on the 2nd 5' section of Flagstaff, I'll be finishing wiring over the weekend then off to the show the modules will go. I also got some dirt down on one of my 2' modules. This is being modeled after the "Walnut Creek" over pass east of Flagstaff around MP 336.2 This module is a MSS signal module.

[johnb]

Question - and this is far in the future so if you've not considered yet don't worry - what are you going to do for the logging 2-8-0?

it's now on the east end of the buildings, 25 years ago it was on the west end